For the creative switch project I decided to make it mechanically inclined. The device consists of a rack and pinion assembly. For those who may not know what a rack and and pinion is, it’s a gear and a flat bar that mesh together. It’s most known use is in the steering columns of many cars.
Materials:
Box Cutter
Hot Glue Gun
Cardboard
2 LED
8 Gauge Wire
2 Lithium Batteries 3V
Wire Cutter/ Stripper
Conductive Tape
Step 1: making the rack
Cut out two pieces of cardboard 6 x 1.5 inches pieces and stack them together. In the middle of cardboard there is a pattern that provides structural support, this will be used as teeth for the rack. Put conductive tape on the bottom of the rack.
Step 2: Making the gear
Trace two circles with 1 inch radius (2 inch diameter circles) and cut them out. Stack the pieces together and glue them to add thickness. Similar to the rack glue the teeth patter along the perimeter of the circle.
Step 3: Making the platform
Take a larger rectangular piece of cardboard (mine is 14 x 5 inch) and create a slot the same as the thickness of the cardboard mine is approximately 0.125 inches. this should be a little less than double the length of the rack.
Step 4: Making the Circuit
Using conductive tape make the circuit as shown below for 1 LED. One 3V Lithium ion battery is used as the power source. A small amount of tape should be wrapped along the slot and taped to the other side as shown below. This is the part that will make contact with the rack to complete the circuit.
Step 4: Make the second circuit and attach the rack to test if there is enough contact being made to complete the circuit.
Final product:
